Rural Practice: One Way to Pay for Law School While Launching Your Legal Career

Someone considering law school recently asked me whether any law firms pay for law school in exchange for a commitment to return and practice there afterward. While I’m aware of several large law firms that offer student loan repayment assistance as part of their benefits packages, I rarely see this offered more broadly.

However, several states have rural practice programs—initiatives that provide stipends or incentives in addition to attorneys’ regular salaries for those who commit to practicing law in rural communities for a set period of time.

One of the best resources I’ve seen on this topic is an article, Incentivizing Attorneys to Work in the “Legal Deserts” of Rural America, by Oklahoma attorney Sam Holzschuh, which outlines various rural practice programs across the country.

Highlights from the article:
• South Dakota pioneered this model in 2013. Attorneys who commit to five years in a qualifying rural county (under 10,000 residents) can receive about $62,500 total in annual payments, jointly funded by the state, bar association, and county.
• North Dakota launched a similar program in 2021, providing $45,000 total over five years to lawyers practicing in rural counties (under 16,000 residents).
• Illinois has a privately funded fellowship through its State Bar Association that places associates in rural firms for one year with a $10,000 stipend.
• Nebraska offers loan repayment assistance—up to $6,000 per year (maximum $42,000)—for lawyers who practice in communities with populations under 15,000.

These programs aim to address “legal deserts,” where many counties have fewer than one lawyer per 1,000 residents.

If you’re considering law school and open to rural practice, explore whether your state bar association offers stipends, fellowships, or loan repayment programs for lawyers who commit to serving rural communities. These initiatives can make law school more affordable—and help close the access-to-justice gap.